US Border Patrol agent killed in ATV crash while responding to call about suspected illegal immigrants
Share and Follow

A U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed Tuesday night after his ATV crashed while responding to a call about suspected illegal immigrants near the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, authorities said.

The all-terrain vehicle crashed around 7:10 p.m. near Chino Road and West 5th Street in Douglas, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office said.

“The information received indicated that the sole occupant involved was a United States Border Patrol Agent assigned to the Douglas Station, Tucson Sector,” the sheriff’s office said.

The agent, identified as 44-year-old Freddy Ortiz, was heading westbound along International Avenue in response to reports of illegal immigrants near the border. No further details about the call were immediately available.

MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT FLOP MARKS LATEST BLOW TO GOP EFFORT TO TACKLE BORDER CRISIS

U.S. border patrol agent Alessio Faccin walks along the border fence separating Mexico from the United States near Calexico, California, U.S. February 8, 2017. Picture taken February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake - RC166A17F9D0

A U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed after his ATV crashed while responding to a report about illegal immigrants in Douglas, Arizona, on Tuesday night. (REUTERS, File)

At some point, authorities said Ortiz’s ATV left the roadway and struck a fixed light pole.

First responders rushed Ortiz to Copper Queen Hospital in Douglas, where he was pronounced dead.

U.S. Border Patrol agent patrols on an ATV

The Border Patrol agent was the sole occupant of the ATV at the time of the crash. Authorities said the vehicle left the roadway and struck a fixed light pole. (John Moore/Getty Images, File)

“U.S. Border Patrol Agent Freddy’s Ortiz’s on-duty death is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangerous nature of our mission” said John Modlin, chief patrol agent for Tucson Sector. “I am grateful for all the Border Patrol Agents, first responders, and medical staff who attempted to save his life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones.”

TX LAWMAKERS PASS BILL ALLOWING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TO BE ARRESTED

Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels also shared condolences for Ortiz.

“It is an incredibly sad day for our brothers and sisters in Border Patrol and we have only the highest level of respect for the job these brave souls do every single day,” Dannels said. “God bless all of those in his work family and his home family, and know we are here if you need us.”

Tucson Sector covers 262 border miles from the New Mexico state line to Yuma County and is noted to be one of the busiest sectors in the country in illegal immigrant apprehensions.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
My boyfriend scolds me in public — and makes me apologize to strangers

Dealing with Public Criticism from my Boyfriend: Apologizing to Strangers

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend embarrassed me when he told me to apologize…
Oil flip-flops and shares are mixed after the US strikes Iranian nuclear sites

Oil Prices and Stock Market React After US Attacks Iranian Nuclear Facilities

NEW YORK — Global markets appeared to take the U.S. strike against…
Margaret Cho disses 'mean girl' Ellen DeGeneres in scathing interview

Margaret Cho criticizes Ellen DeGeneres in a fiery interview

Margaret Cho dissed “mean girl” Ellen DeGeneres in a scathing podcast interview.…
Mystery as huge $2.1M sculptures vanish from LA warehouse

Large sculptures worth $2.1 million disappear from Los Angeles warehouse under puzzling circumstances

A sophisticated art heist left a profound sculptor in shock when he…
71-year-old sets World Record for bench press achievement

“71-Year-Old Smashes World Record in Bench Press”

Phillip Hambrick, a retired Army helicopter pilot, set a Guinness World Record…
Oil prices show muted gains as world awaits Iranian response to U.S. strikes

Oil prices rise slightly as the world anticipates Iran’s reaction to U.S. attacks

U.S. benchmark oil prices were only marginally higher Monday morning, an outcome…
How Operation 'Midnight Hammer' fell: Mission was built on deception

The downfall of Operation ‘Midnight Hammer’: Mission based on lies

Emerging from the confines of aircraft hangars, the ‘Invisible Defenders’ braved the…
Chicago weather LIVE: Heat Advisory for area, Extreme Heat Warning for all of Cook County Saturday, heat index to 107 in forecast

Current Update on Chicago’s Weather: Heat Advisory Issued for the Region, Cook County to Experience Extreme Heat on Saturday with Heat Index Peaking at 107.

CHICAGO (WLS) — The first official weekend of summer in Chicago has…